It's not too late to plan that last-minute summer vacation. In fact, depending on where you want to plant your umbrella, procrastination might pay. You could even end up in the Hamptons, locus of celebrities and Wall Streeters. "This year in particular, there seem to be a lot of things available in August," says Paul Brennan of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. It has been a slow summer, and more construction and more Hamptonites choosing to own rather than rent means that even waterfront locales are available. And, he says, they're cheaper than usual. Of course, cheap is relative. Want two weeks at a three-bedroom, three-bath oceanfront home in Sagaponack? Write a check for $150,000.

The View: In a slow summer, even Hamptons waterfront properties can be had this August—for a price.
Illustration: William Waitzman for Barron's

Vacancies can also be had in Lake Geneva, Wis., a summer retreat for Chicagoans since the Gilded Age. A seven-night stay at a four-bedroom lakefront house will put you back only $12,000. No waves, though.

On Martha's Vineyard, tardy vacationers won't have it so easy. According to Judy Murray, rental manager at Wallace & Co., "Availability is extremely thin; you don't get to pick much." What's left? Properties in the $3,500-a-week range due to cancellations and new listings.

The San Juan Islands, three hours from Seattle, are even tighter. Guy Davidson, of John L. Scott Real Estate, says that while premier waterfront occasionally becomes available, most homes are booked up to a year in advance. Want a view? Rent a boat, he says. "You can motor about, park yourself in the harbor, enjoy a different kind of experience." Thanks.

-- Michael Vallo

Next Week

Monday 21

Japanese markets are closed in observance of Marine Day.

LightSquared is set to file a new proposed reorganization plan that includes the participation of
Dish Network's
Charlie Ergen. The plan would give Ergen a $1 billion claim and calls for him to invest $300 million.

Tuesday 22

The core reading on the three most recent consumer-price index reports has beaten expectations, driven by broad-based inflation pressures, says Bryan Jordan, economist at Nationwide Financial. He sees a bit of a pullback in the core rate for June to 0.2%.

"It seems housing has turned a corner," says Jordan, and he expects the existing-home sales report for June to be "fairly decent."

A Senate subcommittee on investigations looks at "transactions that utilize financial engineering and structured products" to try to avoid taxes.

Coca-Colais among a number of big companies to report results. Nomura sees Coke hitting consensus targets of 63 cents of earnings per share, on improved organic revenue growth of 5%.

James River Coal,
which filed for bankruptcy protection in April, is set to auction itself off.

A bankruptcy judge hears an update on LightSquared's reorganization plan.

The Senate Finance Committee holds hearings to examine the U.S. tax code.

Dow Theory Letter's Richard Russell— first published in Barron's, under Bob Bleiberg, in the 1950s—turns 90.

Wednesday 23

The Securities and Exchange Commission votes on final rules to reduce investor risk in money market funds, but didn't disclose details on the rules.

Orion Engineered Carbons is set to price 18 million shares at an average $22.50 each. Also coming to market: 14.5 million shares of Advanced Drainage Systems at an average $18 each, and 8.33 million shares of Townsquare Media, at an average $15 each. El Pollo Loco Holdings prices 7.14 million shares at an average price of $14 apiece.

Crumbs Bake Shop
asks a Trenton, N.J., bankruptcy judge to approve procedures to auction the company to challenge a $6.5 million bid by Fischer Enterprises and CNBC's Marcus Lemonis. Crumbs seeks at least $7 million.

The International Monetary Fund delivers its World Economic Outlook.

Friday 25

June durable-goods orders are projected to rise 0.9% by RBC Capital Markets, on decent growth in nondefense aircraft orders.

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